Board/Officers
Gary Kout
Founder/Executive Director
Gary is a Producer, Line Producer and Production Manager, with experience in nearly every aspect of the industry, including feature films, commercials, music videos, documentaries, PSA's, industrial films and internet media. After getting a degree in film production from the University of Southern California School of Cinema-Television, he started as a production assistant in New York City, working his way up the ladder to Producer over the course of 12 years in New York City, Hollywood and beyond. In 2003, Gary relocated to Southern Oregon, seeking a better quality of life. After managing a feature film shot in Ashland and Medford - "Conversations with God" in 2005 - Gary experienced first-hand what a great destination Southern Oregon is for production thanks to the qualified crew base, deep talent pool, incredible locations, and great support from local and state authorities. He founded SOFaT in order to bring all of the region's resources together to attract interest from outside producers as well strengthen the local industry from within. He continues to work in LA, NY and Portland while also working on independent local productions such as the films “My Name is Bruce” (2007) and “Calvin Marshall" (2009).
Patricia Snyder
Secretary
Patricia Snyder is a writer with experience in marketing, non-profit organization and development, and film festival facilitation. Born in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, she has lived in the Rogue Valley since 1996. She first became involved with film production as co-writer and script supervisor for an independent film shot in Medford, “Sixes and the One-Eyed King,” and has gone on to assist with short film and webisode production, casting, and media relations. She is one of the founders of the non-profit Josephine Community Libraries and continues to volunteer with that organization. She lives in Grants Pass where she is an editor for the daily newspaper. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in journalism from the University of Montana.
Ray Robison
Education and Membership
Ray Robison is a Medford independent producer, director and writer and also works as a multi-media production specialist for the Southern Oregon Education Service District. After graduating from Montana State University with a degree in film and television production, he produced and directed TV commercials for television stations in Montana and Oregon before establishing his own production company, Bison Video Productions, in 1994. Projects have run the gamut of production from marketing videos, event videos, game shows, music videos, and television commercials. From 1999 to 2004, he taught video production at Ashland High School. He has directed two low-budget features and two narrative short films, winning 10 awards at film festivals across the country including "Best Feature" at CineFest 2009 in Louisville, Kentucky, "Northwest Emerging Artist Award" at the Salem (Ore.) Film Festival and "Best of Show" at DIVA OpenLens in Eugene, Oregon.
Jes Webb
Jes Webb, of Grants Pass, owns event, multimedia and production company Sights and Sounds Unlimited, which he founded in 1986. A native of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, he studied at the (Bob) Burns Summer Learning Center and the Berkshire Ensemble for the Theatre Arts. He moved to Grants Pass in 1975. He is a camera operator, director and editor whose credits include Rescue 911, Classmates.com, Fox Network’s Reunion Show and The Montel Williams Show. He has also done work for the U.S. Congress and the legal system. He is a recipient of the Oregon Department of Health’s Media Recognition Award for Video Production and was named Man of the Year in 2009 by the Grants Pass and Josephine County Chamber of Commerce. He belongs to Rotary International and Rural/Metro Fire Department, where he is public information officer. He is also an avid volunteer for projects in his community, including Access Food Share, The Boys and Girls Club of Josephine County, and Options for Southern Oregon. He sits on the boards of Bright Futures Foundation, for whom he filmed a documentary in Nepal, and the United Community Action Network Advisory board.
Rebecca Geear
Becky Geear, of Eagle Point, is a video editor and videographer for Motorcycle USA. She is a magna cum laude graduate of Southern Oregon University with a bachelor of arts degree in communication: telecommunication (video production). Upon graduation, she worked for Lithia Motors, Inc./LAD Marketing for eight years as editor, director and manager of the Electronic Production Department and edited nearly 2,000 commercials. She won the 2007 Platinum AVA Award for Outstanding TV Spot/Automotive Dealership. She has worked on a number of local independent film and video projects, including as art director, producer, videographer, director, editor, director, director of photography, wardrobe coordinator, writer and voice talent.